Prospect Wire wraps up its summer West Coast trip in the City of Angels with the highly anticipated LA Invitational. First launched in 2016, the LA invitational was PW’s first ever California event, and it has thrived ever since cementing itself as a cornerstone of West Coast summer baseball.
This year’s tournament features teams across two divisions, with programs making the trip from California, Colorado, and Georgia. Over the years, the LA Invitational has proven to be a hotbed of talent, producing countless PW All-Americans and future college standouts. With a strong mix of regional powerhouses and rising programs, this week promises more of the same here are a few teams and programs to keep an eye on throughout the week:
NorCal (Tracy, CA): The respected NorCal Baseball program is making its presence felt at this years’ LA Invitational, sending two teams to compete in the 15u/16u division. Known for developing fundamentally sound players and playing the game the right way, NorCal consistently brings talent, discipline, and a winning mindset to the field. Wither their strong track record and deep roster of high upside prospects, both NorCal squads are legitimate threats to make a deep playoff run this week in Los Angeles. With 3 PW Championships under their belt, they are looking to build off their most recent one, when they claimed the LA Invitational 15U Division in 2024.
WC Blackdogs (Chino, CA): A staple of the Southern California baseball scene, the WC Blackdogs are widely respected for their player development and consistent success in helping athletes advance to the next level. This week, the organization is sending three teams to the LA Invitational, two in the 15u/16u division and one in the 17u/18u division. With a tradition rooted in hard-nosed baseball and competitive excellence, all three squads are poised to make deep playoff runs as they look to build on the Blackdogs’ storied legacy.
Legacy Baseball Group (Encino, CA): The Legacy Baseball Group is a family-oriented, competitive program built on the principles of character, development, and opportunity. Known for creating a positive culture and opening doors for players at all levels, Legacy takes pride in helping athletes grow both on and off the field. This week, the Legacy Baseball Group Elite team is set to compete at the LA Invitational, looking to build on past success and make a deep playoff run. With strong leadership and a roster full of motivated talent, Legacy Elite is a team to keep an eye on. With a championship this week, Legacy Baseball Group would move into the Top 11 All Time with their 7th title, something only 4 other programs on the west coast have accomplished.
Atlanta Blue Jays (Atlanta, GA): Established in 2003, the Atlanta Blue Jays have built a strong reputation throughout the Southeast for their ability to develop elite talent and prepare players for the next level. Known for their competitive edge and proven player pipeline, the Blue Jays are a staple on the national travel ball scene. This year’s squad is no different, loaded with talent and hungry for a title, they’ve made the trip all the way from Georgia with one goal in mind: bringing home hardware from Los Angeles. The Blue Jays are hungry for another title, with their only PW Championship coming in 2013 at the PW World Series. Will this be the year that they break through and return to PW glory?
TB SoCal (Los Angeles, CA): TB SoCal is one of the premier travel baseball programs in Southern California, known for fielding well coached, tough, gritty teams' year in and year out. As the winningest program out West in Prospect Wire history, TB SoCal has claimed an impressive eight tournament titles, setting the standard for excellence on the West Coast. This year’s squad is no exception-primed and ready to make another deep run and add more hardware to their already loaded trophy case. TB SoCal was the first west coast-based program to claim 10 PW Championships. With a win this week, they would move into the Top 5 All Time and return to being the winningest program on the west coast.
Regis Jesuit (Aurora, CO): A storied HS program, Regis Jesuit (Columbine HS) has been a regular at PW West Coast events for some time now. Bouncing between San Diego, Los Angeles and Arizona, the squad from Aurora is never short on top level talent. Regis will be looking for their elusive 1st PW title at this year's event. Is this the year they finally break through and finally are the last ones standing?
ENG Elite Gold (Winchester, CA): A new program to PW events, ENG Elite Gold made their PW debut last week at the Firecracker Classic. They faced some stiff competition, squaring off against eventual 18U champ NC Valley, and 18U Finalist Southern California Renegades. Both their games against the eventual championship game competitors were battles. ENG will be looking to build off those hard-fought wars and make a run against another strong field of teams.